It’s WINTER, which means ski season in many parts of the world (like France), and apparently it’s been a great year for SNOW! So for all you snow bunnies out there, here’s a tip we thought we would pass on about one of our favorite hotels in France’s très chic ski resort, Megève: Les Fermes de Marie.
Les Fermes de Marie
Les Fermes de Maries is a cozy Savoyard chalet-style hotel and spa, nestled in the heart of France’s most exclusive ski resort in the French Alps. This virtual “village” is made up of 9 individual but interconnected chalets, century old alpine farmlands, 2 restaurants and an award-winning spa.
A chalet at les Fermes de Marie
Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet had a vision when they started refurbishing a traditional farmhouse over 20 years ago to create this enchanting, intimate, beautifully decorated and comfortable refuge for skiers and summer vacationers alike.
Guest bedroom at Les Fermes de Marie
It’s been years since our last visit, but friends and family have assured us that Les Fermes de Marie has lost nothing of its original style – if anything, its gotten better (the spa was not finished when we were there). Guests feel instantly at home, with an elegant bar, a library, cozy fireplace lounges and several inviting little nooks perfect for curling up with a book, gardens and two gastronomic restaurants.
Fireplace Lounge at Les Fermes de Marie
The 71 luxuriously appointed and spacious rooms are decorated with charm, natural woods, old wooden beams, accented with antiques, carefully selected textiles… all tastefully done with a “French Touch”. You really do feel like you are at home, in a French chalet.
The world–famous spa, with a heated pool and 17 treatment rooms, offers custom treatments using the house line of skin care products - “Pure Altitude” - composed of local plants such as Edelweiss and Arnica.
Treatment Room at the Les Fermes de Marie Spa
And if that weren’t enough, they even have two "Chalets" that sleep 10, for family gatherings or other special occasions. Les Chalets des Fermes feature their own private spa as well.
Megève, France
Les Fermes is 5 minutes away from the center of lively Megève, which is full of bars and restaurants (3 of which are Michelin star rated) and of course, plenty of shopping for the swish clientele this town attracts. It is definitely a mountain vacation destination - winter or summer - offering a magnificent setting for sport, relaxation, fresh air and total indulgence in the art of fine living.
In the village of Megève
Bon voyage!
Les Fermes de Marie Chemin de Riante Colline 74120 Megève Tel: 33(0)4 50 93 03 10
25-year-old American jazz phenom Esperanza Spalding and her towering upright bass are touring Europe right now and causing a sensation! Not only are the music critics amazed by the sheer talent, but all abuzz about what to expect next from such a young artist! You can catch her in Paris, November 8, 2010 at the Théâtre de l’Atelier.
Esperanza began playing violin at age 5, but soon followed with oboe, clarinet, piano, guitar and bass, all the while playing classical music by ear and composing! At 15 she had her first gig as a conductor. Enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston at age 16, she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau and Pat Metheny and at 20 became the youngest teacher there in the history of the school.
Her first album, “Junjo”, came out in 2005, and was well received in the US; but in 2008, Esperanza began making a name for herself in Europe with her CD “Esperanza”, clearly defining her jazz aesthetic and featuring songs in both English and Spanish.
Her latest CD, “Chamber Music Society” is a MUST, where she truly becomes one with her instrument and pushes the limits with an incredible duet with one of her own idols, Brazilian guitarist, Milton Nascimento.
If you miss her in Paris, you can join the rest of us in our wait for the highly anticipated “Radio Music Society” CD, due out in spring 2011.
Here's a clip from PBS' Austin City Limits, where Esperanza performed live in Austin, Texas in February 2010.
